David Warner has no plans to retire from Test cricket, his agent has said after former players from his country suggested that the Australia opener should consider retirement from the longest format of cricket.
In the recent Test match against South Africa in Brisbane, the 36-year-old was out for a duck and scored just three runs. The hosts won the game by six wickets in two days. Warner last scored a Test century in January 2020.
David Warner's performance in the previous 5 Test innings:
- AUS vs SA: 3 runs (17 December 2022)
- AUS vs SA: No runs scored (17 December 2022)
- AUS vs WI: 28 runs (8 December 2022)
- AUS vs WI: 21 runs (8 December 20220
- AUS vs WI: 48 runs (30 November 2022)
"I think he'd (Warner) be contemplating and possibly should (retire) at the end of the Sydney Test. We actually have a sample area over a long period of time where things haven't been up to standard," Former Australian player Simon O'Donnell had said.
But Warner's agent, James Erskine, said he didn't believe the opener will quit Test cricket at the conclusion of the three-Test series against the Proteas at Sydney.
"No, it won't be his last Test, I don't think. It's news to me if that's the case," Erskine was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday.
Erskine added Warner had the tour of India and the 2023 Ashes in England in his sights.
Warner will become the 14th Australian to achieve the 100-Test landmark when he plays the Boxing Day Test. His average in 10 Tests this year is less than 21 but Erskine felt runs are around the corner for the 36-year-old.
"I personally think there are runs around the corner for him. We'll just see what happens. The big thing from Davey's (Warner) point of view is that he has three young children.
"If your basic situation is you have got to be away for nine months, or eight months of the year, it is brutal. That will be the decision, I think, depending on how he ends up.
"He has lots of other interests other than cricket – but there has been no talk about that (retirement)," added Erskine.
Erskine felt Warner was done in by a couple of good deliveries from South African pace bowler Kagiso Rabada in the opening Test at Brisbane.
"He has had a couple of brutal balls (from Rabada). At the end of the day, everyone goes through these quiet spells. You have got to take his career across the board," Erskine said.
"If you talk to all the great players out there, they say he is a great player. We'll just have to see if he bounces back in Melbourne. He is a pretty tough nut, old David. I don't think that (run drought) necessarily worries him," Erskine added
